Are Spaniards Really Living Longer Because of Siestas?

Are Spaniards Really Living Longer Because of Siestas?

Could the Siesta be the reason the Spanish enjoy a longer life?

The siesta is one of the most admired aspects of Spanish daily life that leaves other Europeans somewhat bemused and envious. 

Outside of the fact that there’s nothing stopping Brits, Germans, and Scandinavians from adopting the siesta culture themselves, most cultures have trouble wrapping their heads around the idea of napping for a few hours in the middle of the day. Could it be that the Spanish have been on to something for all these years though?

The truth is that Spaniards work for much longer than most other Europeans, and they’re also living longer than other Europeans; which begs the question of how much of that is because of siestas.

The latest World Happiness Report 2017 ranked nations on a range of metrics to determine happiness. One major one was longevity, which Spain came in second place for after Japan thanks to an 82.8 year life expectancy. 

This is hardly new of course, but researchers have been – albeit correctly – putting this down to the Mediterranean diet. While the diet is partly the reason why, the report believes that the humble siesta could have something to do with it as well.

People have the idea that Spaniards are just sleeping when the shops close between 2 and 5PM, but the reality is that this is how they organise their working shifts. If you work continuously with just half an hour for your lunch then you’re bound to eat a quick takeaway or some fast food. If you’re allowed to stop working for a few hours then you are more likely to go home or to a restaurant where you can relax and enjoy several courses and have the time needed to let it digest. That’s much healthier than any takeaway.

It’s not necessarily getting to sleep, but getting to relax and socialise during the day that may be giving Spaniards better longevity. The report also argued that the higher density of Spanish towns and cities mean Spaniards spend longer on their feet and walk much more during their day than other nationalities.

Why Spanish Women Live Longer than Most

Why Spanish Women Live Longer than Most

The latest research from the medical journal The Lancet shows that the Spanish women that will be born in 2030 can expect to live to the ripe old age of 90.

Its a fact that Spain is one of the best places to live in the world

The current life expectancy for Spanish women is around 84years, but it’s expected that medical advancements mean this figure will rise to 88.1 years in the next few decades – and it could end up being over 90 years.

The study also discovered that the conservative estimate that 90 was the highest average life expectancy is, in fact, too conservative. They expect that the average life expectancy will soon hit 125 years in some places.

Not every nation can expect to live this long though. The USA is the worst performer for life expectancy out of the 35 developed economies in the survey. American women born in 2030 would have an average life expectancy of 83.3 years.

The report suggested there were a range of factors as to why the rich USA couldn’t provide the kind of longevity offered by the countries that topped the list such as Canada, South Korea, Japan, Spain, Australia, Switzerland and France.

The national average life expectancy for women in America has been pulled down by the lack of universal healthcare, and the unusually high rates of child and maternal mortality. Obesity also remains a lingering issue in the country, as does homicide. Men don’t fare much better, and are expected to have an average life expectancy of 79.5 years of age by 2030; which is still below the 82.5 years the average Spanish man of today can expect to live.

So what is it about countries like Spain, Japan, and South Korea that allows them to top the lists? These three nations might have their share of poverty, but scientists remain convinced that the excellent healthcare and healthy lifestyle each country has is the main reason the people there can expect to live so long.

Spain offers incredible liberties for women despite the heavy Catholic influence, making things equal between both sexes. It also has great healthcare. Obesity and cholesterol are beaten by the traditional Mediterranean diet of fruit, vegetables, fish, and olive oil, and the country enjoys a generally active lifestyle. The Spanish are social and outdoorsy. The Spanish family unit is so strong that elderly Spanish people rarely feel lonely because their family is always around.

So, if you want you and your offspring to enjoy a long and healthy life, then it looks like Spain is where you should be – especially if you’re a woman.

A “Death Map” of Europe Shows Living in Costa del Sol and Spain can Provide a Longer Life.

Life expectancy longer in the Costa del Sol. 

Studies have been proving for a long time the health benefits of eating a Mediterranean diet and local cuisine in Spain, but it’s only now that a “Death Map” has been compiled by the British Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. This map shows that the people living a Mediterranean lifestyle really do live longer than other European people especially it seems with the climate of southern Spain that has w an average all year temperature of 20C and have less environmental concerns in Spain than other parts of Europe.

Death Map

It’s a rather morbid thing to look at but it does show the clear divide in Europe, especially between the richer west side of Europe and the poorer Eastern Europe. It also shows a divide between the colder, if not wealthy and high spending Scandinavian countries, and their sunnier, more southern relatives.

The study shows that people who live in the warmer climates of Spain, Italy, Andorra and the southern and western parts of France can expect to have longer and healthier lives than people living in the UK, Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

One of the main causes for this longevity is thought to be the diet of these southern countries. People in Spain, Italy and France eat far more fruit, vegetables, fish and olive oil in the restaurants in Spain. They also eat less processed foods and less red meat.

Combining this diet with warmer climates in Spain and great healthcare systems means that these people enjoy not just longer lives overall, but healthier lives too. The Mediterranean countries have far higher percentages of people aged over 75 and considered healthy than anywhere else. The NHS might be keeping British alive for longer but it’s not keeping them healthier.

The study showed that in the ten years leading up to 2011, the Mediterranean countries saw the largest rise in the number of people aged between 75-84. There was also a rise in the 85-94 age bracket.